OPS PRESENTERS & INSTRUCTORS

Optimum Performance Studio is a premier education provider and training facility, where we continue to provide a career pathway that will motivate, inspire and develop quality trainers and industry leaders.

GUEST PRESENTERS

ELIZABETH LARKAM

PILATES INSTRUCTOR

Elizabeth Larkam is internationally recognized as an innovator of movement education.

She was awarded the Medal of the Danish Society of Military Medicine in 2010 in recognition of her efforts to improve the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. The Pilates Method Alliance initiative Heroes in Motion was inspired by Elizabeth’s work with clients experiencing severe impediments to motor control. She created the Balanced Body continuing education course, ‘Movement Strategies’ to prepare Pilates teachers to provide effective instruction for these clients.

As a Dancemedicine Specialist at Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital 1985-2000, Elizabeth created Pilates protocols for orthopedic, spine and chronic pain diagnoses. And as Director of Pilates & Beyond for Western Athletic Clubs, 2000-2010 she developed the internationally acclaimed Mind & Body Center within The San Francisco Bay Club where she served as Pilates & Yoga Director.

Elizabeth began her Pilates studies in 1985 while teaching dance at Stanford University, where she had received her bachelors and master’s education. A Gold Certified Pilates Method Alliance teacher, she was educated by the first generation Pilates teachers. Elizabeth co-founded and co-owned Polestar Education. When Balanced Body Pilates Education was founded in 2004 she became a Master Teacher and Mentor, conducting courses throughout the world. Elizabeth is a Feldenkrais® practitioner, Franklin Method teacher, Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® instructor. She is qualified in Gyrotonic® II and Gyrotonic Specialized Equipment.

Elizabeth authored the chapter ‘Fascia oriented Pilates Training’ for the book Fascia inMovement and Sport edited by Robert Schleip (2015). She has worked as a Pilates Specialist with the San Francisco Ballet and Cirque de Soleil, a lecturer at the University of San Francisco in Exercise and Sports Science, a lecturer at San Francisco State University in Dance, Fitness Editor for PilatesStyle and as a Reebok Master Trainer. She is a media spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise.

Since 1992 Elizabeth has created instructional DVDs for fitness, therapeutic, education and home markets. As program director of Balanced Body Pilates, she developed the instructional video series that launched the Pilates Allegro Reformer and created a range of programs. Elizabeth is a Distinguished Instructor on Pilates Anytime with 14 programs on www.pilatesanytime.com. She choreographs and performs with PilatesPerformance. Her podcasts and the dance that launched Allegro 2 are on www.pilates.com. Elizabeth’s instructor education workshops are on www.fusionfitnessonline.com.

TOM McCOOK

PILATES MASTER

Tom is an internationally recognized fitness and movement specialist. Beginning his full time career in personal training in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for working professionals, people rehabilitating from injuries and world-class athletes including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. Teaching Pilates since 1995, Tom is a Master Instructor and teacher trainer of Pilates, CoreAlign and the Franklin Method.

Tom has been conducting Pilates Teacher Trainings at his studio Center of Balance since 2000, which he co-owns with his wife Karen deMoor. Tom is part of the Passing the Torch Mentorship program through Balanced Body, which offers advanced training for certified Pilates teachers. His teaching approach integrates several mind/body practices including Pilates, The Franklin Method, CoreAlign, Yoga, Shiatsu, Resistance Stretching, BodyCode System and life Coaching.

Tom is committed to his own daily meditation and movement practice, which broadens his effectiveness in designing programs for balance and optimal health. In 2003, Tom produced the exercise video “Combining Pilates & Yoga for Balance.” Tom and Center of Balance have been featured in several national magazines, newspapers and television programs.

FABIO COMANA

NASM

Fabio Comana, MA., MS., is a Faculty Instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), San Diego State University, and UC San Diego.

Previously, Fabio was an exercise physiologist and certification manager for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) where, during his tenure, he was the original creator of ACE’s Integrated Fitness Training Model™ and primary developer of all their live personal training educational workshops.

His previous experiences include collegiate head coaching; strength and conditioning coaching; and opening and managing health clubs for Club One. As a national and international presenter, he is frequently featured on television, radio, internet, and in print publications. He authored chapters in various textbooks and publications, and is presently authoring upcoming academic and consumer books.

IVAN IVANOV

SUPLES FITNESS

Ivan Ivanov was born in the city of Kazanluk, Bulgaria and grew up in a town called Gurkovo, Bulgaria. In 1981 he joined the Greco Roman wrestling program at the Sports School & Technical College in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. He graduated in 1987. Ivan joined the Bulgarian Elite Army sports program in 1987 and until 1992 competed in Greco Roman Wrestling for the Central Army Sport’s Club in Sofia, Bulgaria. During 1993 to 1997 Ivan Ivanov competed for the Wrestling Club Slavia Litex in Sofia, Bulgaria. On Saturday, May 5, 2012 Ivan Radnev Ivanov was Inducted with highest honors into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame of the United States of America for a Lifetime of Distinguished Service and Achievement. Execulsive Director of the National Headquarters and the National Museum at Stillwater, Oklahoma;

OUR INSTRUCTORS

ANDREW COX

INSTRUCTOR

Andrew Cox is a trainer and educator in the health, fitness and wellness industry who is leading the charge towards a shift from reactive health to proactive health by working comprehensively with individuals, teams and corporations on health, wellness, performance and productivity.

He is a regular on Radio, a contributor to publications in the Asia pacific region and internationally on health, wellness and productivity, presented at the 2010 & 2011 Asia Play conference, 2012 Asia Fit Conference, 2013 & 2014 China Fitness convention, as well as being a founding member of the Weston Price foundation in Hong Kong.

He is currently the Director of training at Joint Dynamics Ltd, Hong Kong.

ADAM MENHENNETT

INSTRUCTOR

Adam Menhennett is a trainer and educator in the health and fitness industry, and is helping to lead the change towards a more holistic and proactive health awareness, by working with individuals and special populations.

Adam is a passionate presenter, bringing with him a a unique teaching style that inspires students and ignites passion within the classroom. A man who practices what he preaches on a daily basis, has trained many high end clients, throughout Australasia.

Currently a Master Trainer for NASM CPT, ViPR and PTA Global, ADam has been teaching NASM CPT for over 10 years.

JUNE KWOK

INSTRUCTOR

June’s philosophy is to instill passion in everything she does and to challenger her riders to reach their full potential. She see’s indoor cycling as an incredible, efficient, fun workout, as well as a course of mental focus and release and she aspires to share this passion with her students. You can find her teaching at TORQ Cycle during the weekdays. She is also having our very first TORQBaby so check out her TORQMama: Pre-natal and Post-natal classes!

AUDREY LO

Audrey has been working with Optimum Performance Studio for a few years now, as a Personal Trainer, Education Assistant, Master Trainer and Educator for such programs as TRX, ViPR, Trigger Point.

Audrey also manages to find time to teach group X classes at different Centre’s as well as do her own personal training, and is still able to find time to spend on her own personal growth and development.

Being as passionate about her chosen career as Audrey obviously is, certainly makes it easy for her to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with other trainers and clients, as she embarks on a journey of personal and professional fulfillment.

RYAN CHAREM

Ryan is a trainer and Educator in the health, fitness and wellness industry. Inspiring and encouraging new and seasoned trainers, into a healthier lifestyle.

With his background in Nutrition, Ryan is able to give his clients a well rounded approach to fitness and wellness.

Currently a Master Trainer for NASM CPT and Fitness Nutrition courses, as well as Powerplate™ and Trigger Point™, Ryan constantly pushes his own personal boundaries to be able to bring the best his business has to offer, both from a Personal Training perspective, and an Educational point of view.

ROSS EATHORNE

12 years of studying and practicing the CHEK system of corrective and holistic training has provided Ross with a solid framework to understand different training philosophies.

2008 Ross learnt a Qi Gong system, the majority of the Yoga alliance instructor curriculum (when the school closed down he took the message from the universe and did not pursue any further)

Ross studied philosophy courses in cosmic consciousness, law of attraction and Native American Indian healing. Short courses in The Metabolic typing diet and Gluten intolerance round out what he has been into and contributes to his holistic approach to training his clients.

ALEX POOLE

INSTRUCTOR

Alex has over 16 years of experience in the health, fitness and elite conditioning market. A former professional rugby player he studied his BSc in Sports Science at Loughborough University and went on to complete his MSc in Exercise Physiology and Sports Biomechanics.

He was the Strength & Conditioning Coach with Gloucestershire CCC from 1998-2004 and has worked with numerous athletes in other sports including a three times X-Games Gold Medal and Olympic Bronze winning snowboarder.

An experienced presenter he has written and helped develop courses in a wide range of subjects from Olympic Weightlifting to Strength & Conditioning for Physiotherapists. He is the provider of training courses and workshops for a number of internationally acclaimed companies including SAQ®, Quantum HFE, Cybex® and D2F Fitness.

His favorite saying is “I know, that I know nothing” attributed to Socrates, this means we can never know things with absolute certainty, whilst we can be fairly confident about certain things…until someone shows us a better way!

LEARN

From the industries best educators and motivation speakers, encouraging a fun interactive environment to stimulate learning and skill set through a hands on approach. At OptimumPerformance Studio we don’t just issue a paper certification but encourage you to not only survive, but to flourish and succeed in a competitive commercial industry, by giving you the skill set, science and tools that you will need.

EQUIP

Every trainer should be equipped to survive in this competitive market. At Optimum Performance Studio we offer the most cutting edge trainingequipment from some of the most established manufacturers in the business to inspire people to "Train the Way they Play”.

TRAIN

As a unique training venue, Optimum Performance Studio offers trainers an intimate, functionally based training environment, where both trainers and clients can benefit from the knowledge and facilities that only Optimum Performance Studio can offer.

Keep posted automatically on the very latest courses, workshops and special offers from us for everything taking place in Hong Kong